Peoples Emergency Center

PEOPLE'S EMERGENCY CENTER (PEC) NURTURES FAMILIES, STRENGTHENS NEIGHBORHOODS AND DRIVES CHANGE. PEC IS COMMITTED TO INCREASING EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. WE PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO HOMELESS WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN, REVITALIZE OUR WEST PHILADELPHIA NEIGHBORHOOD AND ADVOCATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.

SOCIAL SERVICES - SOCIAL SERVICES ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF THE HOMELESS FAMILIES WHO COME TO PEC, WHO OFTEN HAVE ENDURED SEVERE HARDSHIPS SUCH AS EVICTION FROM HOUSING BY FRIENDS OR RELATIVES, JOB LOSS, INTRA-FAMILY VIOLENCE, ILLNESS, PHYSICAL, SEXUAL AND EMOTIONAL TRAUMA, LIMITED EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT, AND HUNGER. MANY ARRIVE AT PEC IN SEARCH OF A SAFE PLACE TO MAKE A FRESH START, WITH NOTHING BUT THE CLOTHES ON THEIR BACKS. OUR EMERGENCY HOUSING RESPONDS TO THE BASIC NEEDS OF THE HOMELESS WOMEN AND CHILDREN; SHELTER, FOOD, HEALTHCARE, CLOTHING, AND SAFETY. BEFORE THEY CAN MAKE THE MAJOR CHANGES IN THEIR LIVES THAT WILL LEAD TO LONG-TERM INDEPENDENCE, THESE FAMILIES MUST HAVE SAFE, WARM, SECURE PLACES TO STAY. PROVIDING EMERGENCY HOUSING IS A KEY PART OF WHAT WE DO AT PEC. CASE MANAGERS ARE ASSIGNED TO HOMELESS FAMILIES. CASE MANAGERS WORK CLOSELY WITH MOTHERS AND CHILDREN TO MANAGE THEIR HEALTH CARE NEEDS, TRACK PROGRESS TOWARD FAMILY GOALS, AND MONITOR CHILDREN'S REPORT CARDS, SCHOOL ATTENDANCE, ACADEMIC SUCCESSES, AND DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS. ON A MONTHLY BASIS, EACH FAMILY WITHIN EMERGENCY SHELTER AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING IS ASSESSED WITH PEC'S OWN DESIGNED FAMILY ASSESSMENT TOOL.

BUILDINGS - GLORIA'S PLACE HOUSES OUR ARISE, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM FOR YOUTH. THE PROGRAM CAN ACCOMODATE UP TO 22 YOUTH OR YOUTH WITH CHILDREN. EACH UNIT HAS A PRIVATE BATHROOM. YOUTH RECEIVE FOOD THROUGH A COMMON DINING HALL ON THE FIRST FLOOR. THERE IS ALSO A TV ROOM, A YOUTH LOUNGE, A COMPUTER LAB AND A LIBRARY. RESIDENTS RECEIVE AN ARRAY OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AIMED AT HELPING YOUTH MAKE A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD AND ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY. ROWAN HOUSE HOUSES AN ADDITIONAL 26 TRANSITIONAL HOUSING UNITS FOR FAMILIES WHO ALSO RECEIVE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES SUCH AS DIGITAL AND FINANCIAL LITERACY, CAREER READINESS AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.

ECONOMIC MOBILITY SERVICES AT PEOPLE'S EMERGENCY CENTER OFFERS INTEGRATED FINANCIAL COUNSELLING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES. WE OFFER FINANCIAL COUNSELING ON BUDGETING, SAVING, DEBT MANAGEMENT, RETIREMENT PLANNING AND OTHER FINANCIAL ISSUES AND SEMINARS ON HOME MAINTAINCE / IMPORVEMENT. OUR EMPLOYEMENT TRAINING / CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS BEGIN WITH A CAREER READINESS TRAINING COMPONENT AND WE OFFER CERTIFICATION AND JOB PLACEMENT.